Category: BMW

Bimmerpost brings us some video of the next-gen BMW M3 undergoing testing at the Nürburgring. Although a fair portion of the clip shows the sedan and coupé prototypes on regular public roads as the cars make the short transit between the Nordschleife and BMW’s test facility in the village of Nürburg.

We think we know the F80M will be powered by a six cylinder engine (it certainly sounds this way). But we don’t know if it will be a straight six or a V6. We think we know the engine will be turbocharged. But we don’t know if there will be one, two or even three turbos.

We’re also not sure if the turbo(s) will be a traditional configuration or a fancy new electronic gizmo, or perhaps a combination of both technologies.

So, as you can see there’s a lot of speculation happening with the new M3 at the moment. Also, don’t forget a change in BMW model naming means the M3 will be a sedan and the more traditional coupé will be badged as an M4.

All should become much clearer when the M3 sedan debuts in concept form at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show next March. We think.

[Source: Bimmerpost]

Back in May we brought news that BMW M GmbH was considering a new standalone ‘M-One’ supercar designed to give some curry to Audi, Ferrari, McLaren et al.

Albert Biermann, head of product development in Munich, has breathed new life into the idea with his recent comment saying, “From an engineering perspective we have the skills and we’d love to do it.”

“We’ve discussed it several times but we’ve never been able to make the business case. Everything we do has to make money,” he added. Ahh, it’s those rotten bean counters spoiling the fun once again.

Biermann also left the door very much open for that diesel-powered M5 we mentioned a while back, “We’d never say never if the technology becomes available, but right now we don’t have the diesel technology to match the responsiveness of the new M5.”

[Source: InsideLine]

With the recent launch of the new BMW F30 3 Series it is timely that, less than a week later, we’re seeing a new 4 Series Coupé for the first time. While the F32 prototype is heavily disguised you can get a feel for its profile and overall shape.

BMW will be introducing 4 Series nomenclature in a bid to take the coupé and convertible models further upmarket from their saloon origins. The F32 coupé is still some time away with 2013 or 2014 being mentioned for the official launch.

As to be expected the 4 Series will run pretty much F30 3 Series drivetrains, although expect a few enhancements to justify any possible price increases.

Also to follow on the F3x platform are the F33 convertible, F34 Gran Turismo and F35 four door coupé.

[Source: F30POST]

Some great spy shots of the next-generation BMW M3 have emerged over at F30POST. They show the F80M in saloon form (there’s a coupé too) with some funky data gathering wheels on approach to the BMW M center in Nürburg. Of course, that means the car has been given a right seeing to on the Nordschleife as well.

Nobody is really offering any firm predictions on what engine the next M3 will feature. There’s been talk of a triple turbo six cylinder, as well as more conventional discussion about V8 power. We reckon they might go back to a six of some sort, although doubt the possibility of a V6; based on tradition more than anything else.

Word is the F80 M3 will hit the motor show circuit around 12 months from now, with a sales launch early-ish in 2013.

There’s a couple of extra pics and a some earlier video after the break. If you’d like to see more pics in larger sizing, then follow the source link below.

[Source: F30POST]

They say three’s a crowd, but we’re guessing you won’t object to a third video review of the BMW M5. This time Steve Sutcliffe from Autocar is in front of the camera and it’s a good review to finish with as well. Sutcliffe is definitely able to find lots of nice things to say about the F10M—comparing its straight line acceleration to a Veyron, for example—but he’s also one of the few to be critical of the new super saloon. In particular, its steering. Pleasing to see he, too, has managed to discover the new M5 is quite adept at the art of drifting.

Chris Harris has already given us a sample of his thoughts on the F10M. But that was before the production version was released. Now that the new BMW M5 is on the streets what does he think? He gives the M5 four key criteria which he says it must improve on to be better than the V10 powered E60 M5. Watch the video to see what they are, suffice to say Harris declares, “the F10 M5 is a car that rights all of its predecessors wrongs.”

The video is available after the break.

As you are aware the press launch for the new BMW M5 took place a little while back at the Ascari Race Resort in Spain. Like us you’ve probably never heard of the Totalcar team from Hungary before. However, if you spare a little over 7 minutes of your time to watch their video review of the F10M we’re guessing you will probably become fans.

Check out the clip after the break.

[via 5POST]

Since the launch of the new BMW M5 it has gained high praise from many of the world’s motoring press. However, one thing missing from the F10M has been the option of a good old manual transmission. Well, thanks to this spy pic taken in Europe it seems that omission looks like being rectified.

Oddly, though, the report on 5POST reckons the manual box will only be for the US market. Surely not, tradition says that would be the least likely market to embrace the option.

[Source: 5POST]

Here is everything you need to know about the new BMW 3 Series. The F30 model is the sixth generation and will continue the tradition set in 1975 and continue to be built at BMW’s headquarters in Munich.

This is the largest 3 Series yet and when you scroll through the 100+ images below we won’t be surprised if you mistake the new car for an F10 5 Series a few times. The distinctive headlight design on the 3 Series is a new look for BMW, of course, but the widened kidney grille strongly resembles the 5er.

Overall, we think the new 3 Series looks really good. Perhaps the bonnet has one crease too many, that aside BMW’s designers have allowed the company’s most important model to evolve its look. There’s a clear link to the past, balanced by a strong step forward. This is especially the case inside the new 3 Series. It’s still typically teutonic, but now has a bit more interest thanks to a new layout and increased use of mixed materials.

The F30 will go on sale worldwide in mid-February next year, launching with the Sport Line, Modern Line and Luxury Line. An M Sport package and ActiveHybrid will follow later in 2012.

Naturally, the 3 Series retains its rear-wheel drive configuration and will, for the first, time have the option of being coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. A 50:50 weight distribution provides a platform for balanced handling.

Two petrol and two diesel turbocharged engines will be on offer at launch. The 328i has a 180kW/350Nm 2.0 litre four cylinder and can reach 100km/h in 5.9 seconds. Fuel consumption is rated at 6.4l/100km. Topping the specs is the 335i which features a 3.0 litre six cylinder producing 225kW/400Nm. You’ll knock off 100km/h in 5.5 seconds with your foot planted and sip fuel at 7.9l/100km if you back off.

Entry level diesel power is offered in the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition, to the tune of 120kW/380Nm. Acceleration is very acceptable, needing only 8.0 seconds to reach 100km/h and fuel consumption on the combined cycle is just 4.1l/100km. If you want to reach 100km/h in 7.5 seconds while relying on diesel power you’ll need the plain old 320d model. Fuel use rises slightly to 4.5l/100km.

Towards the end of 2012 the 3 Series ActiveHybrid will be launched. It will use the 225kW 3.0 litre six cylinder petrol engine found in the 335i coupled with an electric motor that can boost power by up to 40kW. Somehow, though, BMW say maximum combined power available is 250kW, while peak torque is 450Nm. Should be an interesting car that one.

There is much more for you after the break, in the form of 2000px super sized images, video and press material. Right at the end of the article you can download 65 pages of guff with thanks to BMW.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on the F30 as well, so please share your thoughts in the comments section.